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Show 87 ous laws enacted since 1866.74 In 1891, Congress required that, with respect to vessels arriving at or departing from localities where navigation improvements are carried on, there be fur- nished a "comprehensive statement" of vessels, passengers, freight and tonnage.75 This requirement was implemented in 1922 when the Secretary of the Army was authorized to specify the scope of such statements.76 In the collection of such statistics, Congress in 1912 required the Army Engineers to adopt a uniform system of classification for freight, and upon rivers and inland waterways to collate ton-mileage statistics as far as practicable.77 Improvement of Navigable Waters In the early decades of our national history, improvement of waterways was undertaken by states and private companies.78 For example, construction of the Erie Canal by the State of New York was commenced in 1817 and completed in 1825.79 We have already noted instances where the Federal Govern- ment aided and encouraged development by states and private companies.80 Such instances included grants of public lands for specific projects and for river improvement generally, and federal purchase of stock in canal companies. But the responsibilities which have been assumed by the Fed- eral Government for the protection and promotion of commerce 74 Act of June 23, 1866, § 4, 14 Stat. 70, 74; Act of June 13, 1902, § 14, 32 Stat. 331, 376. Under the provisions of the Federal Reports Act of 1942, the Corps of Engineers is the sole federal agency to collect, compile and publish data on domestic water-borne commerce. Act of December 24,1942, § 3, 56 Stat. 1078, 5 U. S. C. 139-139f; see RHB Form No. 1, Budget No. 49-R 268.2 and RHB Form No. lb, Budget No. 49-R 302.1. A like function as to foreign commerce is similarly assigned to the Bureau of the Census. See Department of Commerce Form No. 7525V, Budget No. 41-R 397.2; Customs Form No. 7501, Budget No. 48-R 217.1. "Act of February 21,1891, § 1, 26 Stat. 766, 33 U. S. C. 554. "Act of September 22,1922, § 11, 42 Stat. 1038,1043, 33 U. S. C. 555. " Act of July 25, 1912, § 1, 37 Stat. 201, 223, 33 U. S. C. 553. TO See Potlio Aids to Transportation, Federal Coordinator of Transpor- tation, toI. Ill, p. 10 (1939). 80 See supra, pp. 75-76. |